Native to the much of the northern regions of the Midwest and into Central Canada, Meadow Blazing Star is a significant nectar source for migrating monarch butterflies. Many other butterflies turn to these eye-catching flower stalks for nourishment, including swallowtails, red admirals and painted ladies. At the nursery here, yellow swallowtails are quite frequent visitors.

Bumble bees also have a great admiration and desire to visit Meadow Blazing Star, and numerous other native bees including green bees find Liatris ligulistylis favorable. Hummingbirds and Sphinx Moths, of course, appreciate the height of the flower stalks and accessibility of the nectar. Planted in groups, Meadow Blazing Star can draw quite a show of pollinators, all day long, from mid-summer through early Autumn.

Meadow Blazing Star is also a host plant for numerous pollinating moths, including multiple species of Flower Moths. It’s highly adaptable to poorer soils and will tolerate periods of dryness once established. Taller stalks may need staking, though when planted in groups and/or in wind-protected locations, this is less necessary.

When planting your Blazing star, prepare a hole 10-12 inches deep, and make sure that the corms are covered by 2-3 inches of soil. Adding an inch or two of mulch while the roots really set in and establishment themselves at home is a helpful addition, though not required. Water deeply upon planting, and regularly until each plant is established. Thereafter, in most locales Meadow Blazing Star can generally rely on rainfall (1 inch per week is easily sufficient).

Meadow Blazing Star can be divided in the autumn or spring – usually every other year. Autumn provides the best results for the coming year’s blooms, but either way you should have a colorful display of blooms and pollinators.